Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Al Herrera, (second from right), former member of Charlie Co., 1-16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Div., is awarded the Silver Star during a ceremony in the Governor’s ceremonial office in Salem, Ore., Nov. 28. Herrera, an active member of the “Bandido Charlie” Association, was recognized for “Gallantry in Action” on Aug. 12, 1969 during a firefight in Vietnam, where in spite of his own wounds, he helped evacuate other wounded Soldiers. From left to right: Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber; Oregon Air Guard Brig. Gen. Bruce Prunk, Assistant Adjutant General (Air); CSM (Ret.) Herrera; Jim Willis, Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs Director.